FG adds bricklaying, plumbing, 24 more trades to technical curriculum

The Federal Government has announced a sweeping reform of Nigeria’s technical education curriculum, with 26 new trade areas set to be introduced from the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to the Ministry of Education, the initiative is designed to better align students’ skills with modern industry needs while easing curriculum overload in federal technical colleges.

Ministry spokesperson Folasade Boriowo explained that all Federal Science and Technical Colleges (FSTCs) will now operate as full-fledged Federal Technical Colleges, where students will take at least one trade subject alongside general courses.

Education Minister Tunji Alausa emphasized that the reform is aimed at producing “a workforce that is technically skilled and industry-ready.”

The approved trade areas include: bricklaying and concreting, woodwork and carpentry, plumbing, computer hardware and GSM repair, refrigeration and air-conditioning, mechanised agriculture, autobody works, catering craft, solar PV installation, fashion design, livestock and fish farming, motorcycle and tricycle repairs, interior decoration, welding and fabrication, auto-electrical wiring, automobile mechanics, cosmetology, digital media production, electronic systems maintenance, furniture making, networking and system security, social media content creation, tiling and cladding, automobile CNG conversion, and leather works.

In addition, the government will introduce a new subject, *Citizenship and Heritage Studies*, which merges Nigerian history, civic education, and social studies. The ministry said the subject is intended to instill national values and prepare students for responsible citizenship.